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Enhanced immobilization of Cr(VI) by a Fe 0 –microorganisms composite system: Benchmark and pot experiments
Author(s) -
Liu Li,
Zhao Jinxin,
Yin Weizhao,
Lv Sihao,
Su Mei,
Li Ping,
Zheng Xiangyu,
Chiang Penchi,
Wu Jinhua
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.1002/jeq2.20261
Subject(s) - lepidocrocite , environmental remediation , chemistry , chromium , environmental chemistry , nuclear chemistry , microorganism , zerovalent iron , adsorption , goethite , contamination , ecology , organic chemistry , biology , genetics , bacteria
In this study, a collaborative system of Fe 0 and mixed anaerobic microorganisms was established for remediating chromium (Cr)‐contaminated soil and restraining the translocation of Cr from soil to swamp cabbage ( Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.). Solid phase characterization demonstrated that more reactive secondary minerals such as green rust, magnetite, and lepidocrocite were generated in the composite system as compared with the Fe 0 ‐only system. Hence, the Fe 0 –microorganisms composite system achieved a remarkably higher aqueous Cr(VI) removal of 85.6%, 2.9 times higher than that in the Fe 0 ‐only system. After 14 d remediation, easily available Cr(VI) and Cr total species such as water‐soluble, exchangeable, and bound‐to‐carbonates were converted to less available Cr(III) and Cr total species (e.g., Fe–Mn oxides‐bound and organic matter‐bound species) because of the production of Cr–Fe hydroxides and oxides [Cr x Fe 1−x (OH) 3 or Cr x Fe 1−x OOH] on the Fe 0 surface. A pot experiment showed that Cr uptake by swamp cabbage after the composite system remediation was suppressed by 69.1%, two times higher than that after the Fe 0 ‐only system remediation. Excessive Fe uptake by swamp cabbage also was efficiently inhibited by the composite system treatment due to enhanced Fe hydroxides and oxides production on the Fe 0 surface because of biological corrosion and mineralization. These results indicated that Fe 0 –microorganisms composite system remediation could efficiently enhance Cr(VI) immobilization and decrease its bioavailability and bioaccumulation by plants, which is a promising technology in Cr‐contaminated soil remediation.